NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6

General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

Q1. Copper can be extracted by hydrometallurgy but not zinc. Explain.

Solution:
Copper has a higher reduction potential than zinc or iron. Thus, in hydro-metallurgy iron and zinc can
be used to displace copper from its solution.
Fe(s) + Cu2+(aq) ⇒ Fe2+ (aq) + Cu(s)
However, in order to displace zinc a metal more reactive than it is required e.g. K, Ca , etc. The
problem arising now is that all these metals react with water to liberate hydrogen gas. Thus, they
cannot be used for the extraction of zinc using hydro-metallurgy.

Q2. What is the role of depressant in froth floatation process?

Solution:
The role of a depressant in forth floatation is to set apart two sulphide ores through selective prevention
of one ore from frothing. E.g. NaCN is used to separate two sulphide ores, PbS and ZnS. NaCN forms
a complex, Na2 [Zn( CN )4], with zinc on the surface of zinc sulphide, thus selectively preventing ZnS
from frothing.
4NaCN + ZnS ⇒ Na2 [Zn( CN )4] + Na2S

Q3. Why is the extraction of copper from pyrites more difficult than that from its oxide ore
through reduction?
Solution:
Hydrogen sulphide and carbon disulphide (CS2) has a larger ∆fG (Gibbs free energy of formation) than
copper (I) sulphide. Thus, C and H2S will not be able to reduce Cu2S to Cu.
Whereas, ∆fG of Cu2O is larger than carbon monoxide’s, thus C can reduce copper (I) oxide to copper.
Therefore, it is more difficult to extract copper from pyrites than it is to extract from its oxide.

Q4. Explain: (i) Zone refining (ii) Column chromatography.

Solution:
(a) Zone refining:
This method makes use of a principle according to which impurities are more soluble in molten metal
than in a solid metal. In zone refining, a moving circular heater slowly moves over an impure metal rod/
bar. As the circular heater moves, the impurities move into the adjacent molten zone and the pure
metal crystallizes out. This is repeated over several times, causing the segregation of impurities at one
end of the bar. This impure end is then cut off. Boron, silicon, gallium etc. are purified this way.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

(b) Column chromatography:

This is a very useful method of purifying elements present in minute amounts. Column chromatography
is mostly used in order to take away those impurities which are not very different in chemical properties
from the element which needs to be purified. This concept follows the principle various components of a
mixture are adsorbed to different extents on an adsorbent.

Chromatography includes two phases: mobile phase and stationary phase. This phase
(stationary) is immiscible and immobile. A column of adsorbent e.g. Al 2 O3 is used as the stationary
phase. The mixture to be purified is dissolved in the mobile phase which can be a liquid, gas or
supercritical fluid. This is then poured onto the top of the column. The component which is more
strongly adsorbed by the adsorbent takes a greater amount of time to move through it than the
component that is weakly adsorbed. This way the different components of the mixture are separated as
they move through the stationary phase.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

Q5. Out of C and CO, which is a better reducing agent at 673 K?

Solution:
At 673 K ,CO is a more effective reducing agent because, at 673 K the value of ∆G( C,CO ) is greater than
the value of ∆G( CO,CO2 ), which means that CO is more easily reduced to CO2 than C to CO.

Q6. Name the common elements present in the anode mud in electrolytic refining of copper.
Why are they so present?
Solution:
Selenium, silver, tellurium, platinum, antimony and gold are the common elements present in the anode
mud during the electrolytic refining of copper.
As these metals are almost unreactive they are not affected during the purification method. Thus, they
are present in the anode mud.

Q7. Write down the reactions taking place in different zones in the blast furnace during the
extraction of iron
Solution:
Inside a blast furnace iron oxide is reduced at different temperature ranges, as given below:
At 500 – 800 K
3Fe2O3 +CO → 2Fe3O4 + CO2
Fe2O3 +CO → 2FeO + CO2
At 850 K
Fe3O4 +CO → 3FeO + CO2
At 900 – 1500 K
FeO +CO → Fe + CO2
CO2 + C → 2CO
Above 1570 K
C+ O2 → CO2
FeO +C → Fe + CO
CaCO3(s) → CaO(s) + CO2(g)
SiO2 + CaO → CaSiO3 ( slag )
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

Q8. Write chemical reactions taking place in the extraction of zinc from zinc blende.
Solution:
The various steps involved in zinc extraction are:
(1) Concentration of ore
Firstly, to remove the impurities of the ore, zinc blende is crushed and concentration is done by froth
floatation.
(2) Conversion to oxide (Roasting)
In this step ZnS is roasted in excess of air in a furnace at a temperature below the melting point of zinc.
This results in the formation of zinc oxide.
2ZnS + 3O2 ⇒ 2ZnO + 2SO2
(3) Extraction of Zn from ZnO (Reduction):
To extract zinc from zinc oxide it is mixed with powdered coke and then heated.
ZnO + C ⇒ Zn + CO
(4) Electrolytic Refining:
In this method, impure zinc becomes the anode while the cathode is a pure copper strip. The electrolyte
is an acidic solution of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) with dilute sulphuric acid. On passing a current, pure zinc
deposits on the copper strip.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

Q9. State the role of silica in the metallurgy of copper.

Solution:
Copper pyrites are converted to a mixture of Cu2O and FeO during roasting. Acidic silica is added
during smelting to separate the FeO from the mixture. SiO2 and FeO forms FeSiO3 (slag) which floats
on the molten matter.
FeO + SiO2 ⇒ FeSiO3 (slag)

Q10. “Chromatography”, what do you understand by this term?

Solution:
Chromatography is a collective term used for a range of laboratory techniques for the purification,
separation, characterization and identification of the species of a mixtures whether coloured or
colourless. The word has been obtained from two Greek words; ‘graphy’ meaning ‘to write’ and
‘chroma’ meaning ‘colour’. There are numerous chromatographic techniques like column
chromatography, paper chromatography, gas chromatography, etc.

Q11. What is the criterion followed while selecting the stationary phase of chromatography?
Solution:
The choice of stationary phase is done in a way that the elements of the mixture have different solubility in
the phase. Thereby, different elements have different movement speed through the phase, because of
which they can be separated from each other.

Q12. Describe a method for refining nickel.

Solution:
Mond’s process is a technique used to refine nickel. In this method, heat is supplied to nickel in the
presence of carbon monoxide to produce nickel tetracarbonyl, which is a volatile complex.
Ni + 4CO ⇒ Ni( CO)4 [330k – 350k]
The nickel tetracarbonyl so obtained is then decomposed by heating it at a higher temperature (450 −
470 K) to form pure nickel.
Ni( CO)4 ⇒ Ni + CO [450k – 470k]

Q13. How can you separate alumina from silica in a bauxite ore associated with silica? Give
equations, if any.
Solution:
Separation of alumina from silica in bauxite ore associated with silica is as follows:
Firstly, a concentrated NaOH solution is used to digest the powdered ore at 473 − 523 K and at a
pressure of 35 − 36 bar. This causes alumina (Al2O3) and silica (SiO2) to leach as sodium aluminate
and sodium silicate respectively, abandoning the impurities behind.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

Al2O3 (s) + 2NaOH(aq) + 3H2O (f) ⇒ 2Na [ Al (OH)4] (aq)

Alumina sodium aluminate
SiO2 + 2NaOH(aq) ⇒ Na2SiO(aq) + H2O(l)
Silica Sodium silicate
Now, to neutralize the aluminate present in the solution, carbon dioxide gas is passed through the
solution we obtained. This causes the sodium meta – aluminate to precipitate as hydrated alumina.
2Na [ Al (OH)4] (aq) + CO2 ⇒ Al2O3.xH2O(s) + 2NaHCO3(aq)
hydrated alumina
Sodium silicate cannot be precipitated so it is filtered off. The hydrated alumina is dried, heated and
filtered to obtain pure alumina.
Al2O3.xH2O(s) ⇒ Al2O3(s) + xH2O(g) [1470 k]

Q14. Giving examples, differentiate between ‘roasting’ and ‘calcination’.

Solution:
Calcination is the conversion of carbonate and hydroxide ores to oxides by heating them at a
temperature below their melting points and in the absence or in a very limited supply of air.
For example, carbonates of Ca, Mg, Zn are turned into their respective oxides through this process.
ZnCO3 ⇒ ZnO + CO2
Fe2O3.3H2O ⇒ Fe2O3 + 3H2O[Heat]
Roasting is the conversion of sulphide ores into their metallic oxides by heating at a temperature below
their melting points in excess presence of air.
For e.g, sulphide ores of Pb, and Zn are turned into their respective oxides through this process.
2Zns + 3O2 ⇒ 2ZnO + 2SO2
2Pbs + 3O2 ⇒ 2PbO + 2SO2

Q15. How is ‘cast iron’ different from ‘pig iron”?

Solution:
Pig iron is the iron obtained from blast furnace. It is 4% carbon and contains many other impurities like
Si, P, S, Mn in lesser amounts.
Cast iron is made by melting pig iron and coke with the help of a hot air blast. It has lower levels of
carbon in it (3%). Unlike pig iron, cast iron is brittle and extremely hard.

Q16. Differentiate between “minerals” and “ores”.

Solution:
Minerals are naturally available substances having metals or their compounds.
Ores are rocks and minerals from which metals are economically and conveniently obtained.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

For e.g., there are a lot of minerals that contain, but zinc cannot be conveniently and economically
extracted from all of them. Zinc is extracted from calamine (ZnCO3), zinc blende (ZnS), etc. Hence,
these minerals qualify as ores of zinc.

Q17. Why copper matte is put in silica lined converter?

Solution:
Copper matte has Cu2S and some FeS. So, when a hot blast of air is blown through a molten matte
placed in a silica lined converter, FeS of the matte oxidizes to FeO. This FeO combines with
SiO2 (silica) to produce FeSiO3 (slag).
2FeS + 3O2 ⇒ 2FeO + 2SO2
FeO + SiO2 ⇒ FeSiO3
When all of the iron has been removed as slag Cu2S is oxidized to Cu2O which then undergoes a
reaction with Cu2S to give copper metal.
2Cu2S + 3O2 ⇒ 2CuO2 + 2SO2
2Cu2O + Cu2S ⇒ 6Cu + SO2

Q18. What is the role of cryolite in the metallurgy of aluminium?

Solution:
Na3AlF6 (Cryolite) has two basic roles:
1. The melting point of the solution is decreased from 2323 K to 1140 K due to the presence of cryolite.
2. Cryolite makes alumina a good conductor of electricity.

Q19. How is leaching carried out in case of low grade copper ores?
Solution:
When dealing with low grade copper ores, bacteria or acids are used in the presence of air to leach the
copper. In this method, copper enters the solution as Cu2+ ions:
Cu + 2H+ + ½ O2 ⇒ Cu2+ + 2H2O
The solution so obtained is then treated with H2 or scrap iron to get copper metal.
Cu + 2H+ ⇒ 2H2+ + Cu

Q20. Why is zinc not extracted from zinc oxide through reduction using CO?
Solution:
As the standard Gibbs free energy of formation of CO to CO2 is higher than that of Zn to ZnO, CO will
not be able to reduce ZnO to Zn. Thereby, zinc oxide reduction using CO isn’t used to extract zinc.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

Q21. The value of ∆fGθ for formation of Cr2 O3 is – 540 kJmol-1 and that of Al2 O3 is – 827 kJmol-1
Is the reduction of Cr2 O3 possible with Al?
Solution:
As Cr2O3 has a higher value of formation ( −540 kJ mol−1 ) than Al2O3 ( −827 kJ /mol ), Al can thus
reduce Cr2O3 to Cr.
Alternatively,
2Al + (3/2)O2 ⇒ Al2O3
2Cr + (3/2)O2 ⇒ Cr2O3
Subtracting equation (ii) from (i), we have
2Al + Cr2O3⇒ Al2O3 +2Cr; ∆fGθ = -827 – ( -540) = -287kJ / mol
As ∆fGθ is negative for the reduction reaction of Cr2O3 by Al, the reaction can take place.

Q22. Out of C and CO, which is a better reducing agent for ZnO?
Solution:

ZnO is reduced to Zn at around 1673 K. From the figure above, we can observe that beyond 1073 K
the Gibbs free energy of formation of CO from C and beyond 1273 K, the Gibbs free energy of
formation of CO2 from C is smaller than the Gibbs free energy of formation of ZnO. Thus, C can reduce
ZnO to Zn. However, the Gibbs free energy of formation of CO2 from CO is greater than the Gibbs free
energy of formation of ZnO. Thus, CO is not able to reduce ZnO making C a better reducing agent for
ZnO.

Q23. The choice of a reducing agent in a particular case depends on thermodynamic factor.
How far do you agree with this statement? Support your opinion with two examples.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

Solution:

The figure given above is a graph of Gibbs energy ∆Gθ vs Temperature for the formation of solid
oxides. We can see from this graph that if ∆fGθ of a metal’s oxide is more negative than another metal’s
oxide, then the former metal can reduce the oxide of the latter metal (i.e., the oxide with less negative
∆fGθ). For example, ∆fGθ (Al, Al2O3) is more negative than ∆fGθ (Cu, Cu2O), thus Al can readily reduce
Cu2O to Cu but it is not possible for Cu to reduce Al2O3. Likewise, it isn’t possible for Zn to reduce MgO
but Mg can reduce ZnO to Zn. This is because ∆fGθ (Mg, MgO) is more negative than ∆fGθ (Zn, ZnO).

Q24. Name the processes from which chlorine is obtained as a by-product. What will happen if
an aqueous solution of NaCl is subjected to electrolysis?
Solution:
In Down process, chlorine is obtained as a byproduct. In this process fused mixture of CaCl2 and NaCl
is electrolyzed at 873 K. Sodium is obtained the cathode and Cl2 is discharged at the anode.
When an aqueous solution of NaCl is subjected to electrolysis, Cl2 is discharged at the anode. At the
cathode, H2 is obtained ( in place of Na ). This is because the standard reduction potential of H 2O (E° =
− 0.83 V) is less negative than that of Na (E°= − 2.71 V). Thus, H2O will get a higher preference to get
reduced at the cathode thereby discharging H2.
NaCl ⇒ Na+ + Cl –
At cathode: 2H2O + 2e – ⇒ H2 + 2OH –
At anode: Cl – ⇒ Cl + e–
2Cl ⇒ Cl2

Q25. What is the role of graphite rod in the electrometallurgy of aluminium?

 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

Solution:
In the electrometallurgy of aluminium, the anode is graphite and the cathode iron is graphite lined. The
O2 being liberated due to electrolysis reacts with the graphite anode to liberate CO2 and CO. Had it
been any other metal besides graphite, the oxygen would have reacted with the aluminium during the
electrolysis to form Al2O3. This would have resulted in the wastage of aluminium and as graphite is
cheaper than aluminium it is expendable.
This is the role of graphite rod in the electrometallurgy of aluminium.

Q26. Outline the principles of refining of metals by the following methods:

(i) Zone refining
(ii) Electrolytic refining
(iii) Vapour phase refining
Solution:
(a) Zone refining:
This method makes use of a principle according to which impurities are more soluble in molten metal
than in a solid metal. In zone refining, a moving circular heater slowly moves over an impure metal rod/
bar. As the circular heater moves, the impurities move into the adjacent molten zone and the pure
metal crystallizes out. This is repeated over several times, causing the segregation of impurities at one
end of the bar. This impure end is then cut off. Boron, silicon, gallium etc. are purified this way.

(b) Electrolytic refining:

It is the refining of impure metals using electricity. In this method, the anode is the impure metal and the
cathode is a thin sheet of pure metal. The electrolyte is a salt solution of the same metal.
On passing the electric current the metal ions from the electrolyte collect at the cathode as pure metal
and the impure metal of the anode dissolves into the solution ( electrolyte ) in the form of ions. The
impurities of the metal deposits below the anode. This is called the anode mud.
 NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 6
General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

(c) Vapour phase refining:

It is a method of metal refining by converting the metal into its volatile compound and then
decomposing it to get the pure metal.
To achieve this:
(1) the metal should convert into a volatile compound with a reagent.
(2) the volatile compound of the metal has to be able to decompose easily so that the pure metal can
be conveniently recovered.
Zirconium, titanium and nickel are refined through this method.

Q27. Predict conditions under which Al might be expected to reduce MgO

Solution:
The standard Gibbs free energy of formation of Al2O3 from Al is smaller than that of MgO from Mg after
1350 0C. Thus, at a temperature beyond 1350°C, Al can reduce MgO.